JP2004357141A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal enabling a user a simple and single-handed operation for switching the kinds of letters to be input, without reducing a letter input speed. <P>SOLUTION: A portable terminal 30, having a plurality of cases 6, 10 and a plurality of keys 12, includes a main operation section 8 disposed on one face of one case 10 out of the plurality of cases; auxiliary keys 38, 40 disposed on the neighboring face 32 to the one face, and disposed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the one case; a display section 4 for displaying letters input from the main operation section; and a control section 44 for controlling input of the letters from the main operation section. The control section controls the kinds of the input letters input from the main operation section to be switched over by the operation of the auxiliary keys, when the letters are input from the plurality of keys in the main operation section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is capable of inputting various characters such as hiragana, katakana, alphabets, and numbers. The present invention relates to a portable terminal device configured to allow characters to be input.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As one of the portable terminal devices, there is a foldable portable telephone 2 as shown in FIG. The mobile phone 2 is configured such that a first housing 6 having a display unit 4 such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) and a speaker 5 and a second housing 10 having an operation unit 8 and a microphone 9 are foldably connected. It has become so.
[0003]
The operation unit 8 of the second housing 10 of the mobile phone 2 uses other functions in addition to the ten keys 12, the hook-off key 14, and the hook-on key 16 necessary for using the function as a telephone. Key 18 and a function key 20 are provided. The cross key 18 is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions, and is used for operations such as selection of items displayed on the display unit and movement of a cursor.
[0004]
When such a mobile phone 2 has a function of transmitting and receiving e-mails in particular, or when a memo or the like can be registered in an internal storage unit, the numeric keypad 12 of the operation unit 8 In addition, it is possible to input hiragana, katakana, alphabet, and the like and display them on the display unit 4.
[0005]
If the user holds such a mobile phone 2 from the back side of the second housing 10 with four fingers other than the thumb of one hand and the palm of the hand, the user can use only the thumb of one hand to write characters. Input operation can be performed. Each key of the numeric keypad 12 is also arranged within the reach of the user's thumb.
[0006]
In such a cellular phone 2, various characters such as hiragana, katakana, alphabets, and numerals are assigned to each key of the numeric keypad 12 of the operation unit 8 (see numeric keypad 12 in FIG. 3). When any type of character is input from each key, a switching operation for inputting that type of character is performed.
[0007]
For example, when the user wishes to input an alphabet while inputting hiragana, as shown in FIG. 5, the user operates the function key 20 several times separately from the operation of the numeric keypad 12 to change the type of character to be input from hiragana. It is possible to switch to the alphabet, or to display a list of character types on the display unit 4 so that the user can select the corresponding character type item by operating the cross key 18 or the like. , The alphabet can be input from each key of the numeric keypad 12.
[0008]
Thus, the cross key 18 and the function key 20 used to switch the type of character to be input need to be clearly distinguished from the numeric keypad 12 for inputting the character itself. Therefore, the cross key 18 and the function key 20 are arranged at positions away from the numeric keypad 12.
[0009]
In addition, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163, as a different from such a mobile phone 2, switching of character types is not performed by operation of the cross key 18, the function key 20, etc. All of the various characters such as hiragana, katakana, alphabets, and numbers assigned to each key of the numeric keypad 12 are operated every time this key is operated. There are other mobile phones that are sequentially switched and displayed regardless of the type.
[0010]
As a specific operation method of such another mobile phone, for example, when it is desired to input the letter “C” of the uppercase alphabet, the “2” key of the numeric keypad 12 is pressed nine times (see the numeric keypad 12 in FIG. 3). ), "2", "ka", "ki", "ku", "ke", "ko", "A", "B", "C".
[0011]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-348383
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in other portable telephones such as Patent Document 1, when performing character input operations, the number of operations for each of the ten keys 12 increases, and as a result, the number of operations as a whole also increases. In other words, there is a problem that the character input speed is reduced. .
[0013]
Further, in the mobile phone 2 in which the type of character to be input is switched by operating the cross key 18 or the function key 20, the number of operations for each key of the numeric keypad 12 is reduced. Although the input speed does not decrease, the operation of switching the type of character to be input in such a mobile phone 2 is not the operation of inputting the character itself, so that there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.
[0014]
When the type of character to be input is switched by operating the cross key 18 or the function key 20, the cross key 18 and the function key 20 are connected to the numeric keypad 12 used for character input. Since the characters are arranged at distant positions, the operability is lower than that of the numeric keypad 12, and a series of character input operations is interrupted, which causes a reduction in character input efficiency. Also, depending on the user, the thumb may not reach the cross key 18 or the function key 20, and in such a case, there is a problem that it is necessary to operate with both hands.
[0015]
In view of the above problems, the present invention makes it possible to easily perform an operation for switching the type of character to be input without reducing the speed of character input, and to perform such an operation with only one hand. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal device capable of performing the following.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention
A mobile terminal device having a single or a plurality of housings,
A main operation unit composed of a plurality of keys and arranged on one surface of any one of the housings;
An auxiliary key provided on a surface parallel to the length direction of the one housing and adjacent to the one surface,
A display unit that displays characters input by the main operation unit,
A control unit for controlling the input of characters of the main operation unit,
The control unit controls the type of characters input by the main operation unit so as to switch by operating the auxiliary key when inputting characters using a plurality of keys of the main operation unit. Things.
[0017]
In addition, the portable terminal device according to the present invention,
It is preferable that a plurality of the auxiliary keys are provided, and the control unit controls such that a type of a character input from the main operation unit is switched by a composite operation of the auxiliary keys.
[0018]
In addition, the portable terminal device according to the present invention,
Two auxiliary keys, a first auxiliary key and a second auxiliary key, are provided. When only the first auxiliary key is operated, the alphabet is displayed. When only the second auxiliary key is operated, the katakana is displayed. When the first auxiliary key and the second auxiliary key are operated together, a number is input, and when neither the first auxiliary key nor the second auxiliary key is operated, hiragana is input by operating the main operation unit. It is preferable that the control unit performs the control.
[0019]
In addition, the portable terminal device according to the present invention,
It is preferable that the main operation unit includes a numeric keypad, and characters are input by the numeric keypad.
[0020]
In addition, the portable terminal device according to the present invention,
It is preferable that the auxiliary key is arranged at a position suitable for being operated by a finger of the hand holding the one housing.
[0021]
According to such a portable terminal device, when the character type to be input is input by a plurality of keys of the main operation unit, the control unit controls to switch by operating the auxiliary key, The operation for switching the type of character to be input can be simplified without lowering the speed of character input, and the operation can be performed with only one hand.
[0022]
Note that “composite operation” refers to performing an operation by combining a plurality of auxiliary keys. The "operation" in the "combined operation" is used in a broad sense, and includes a case where the operation of turning on the auxiliary key is not performed.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a portable terminal device according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams referred to for describing a mobile phone 30 (corresponding to a mobile terminal device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the mobile phone 30 shown in these figures, the same parts as those of the conventional mobile phone 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same configuration and operation as the conventional one will be omitted.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 30 includes auxiliary keys 38, on the left side surface 32 in the figure, which is parallel to the length direction of the second housing 10 and adjacent to the surface having the main operation unit 8. 40 are provided.
[0026]
The mobile phone 30 is normally held in the hand in the same manner as the conventional mobile phone 2 (see FIG. 5). At this time, the user can hold the second housing 10 of the mobile phone 30 with the right hand without touching the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 as shown in FIG.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the auxiliary key 38, 40 is provided, the mobile phone 30 is held in the same manner as the conventional mobile phone 2 shown in FIG. When the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 are operated (pressed), the respective fingers are bent and their tips are brought into contact with each other and pushed in.
[0028]
Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the mobile phone 30. The operations of the speaker 5, the microphone 9, and the wireless transmission / reception unit 42 are the same as those of a general mobile phone, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0029]
When the hook-off key 14, hook-on key 16, cross key 18, function key 20, and numeric keypad 12 of the main operation unit 8 are operated, a signal is transmitted to the control unit 44, and the control unit 44 responds to these signals. An operation is performed.
[0030]
When the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 are operated, a signal is transmitted to the control unit 44 as in the main operation unit 8. Even when signals are received from auxiliary keys 38 and 40, control unit 44 does not perform an operation corresponding to only these signals.
[0031]
When keys other than the numeric keypad 12 of the main operation unit 8, such as the hook-off key 14, the hook-on key 16, the cross key 18, and the function key 20, are individually operated, the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 are depressed. The control unit 44 performs an operation corresponding to the signal from the main operation unit 8 irrespective of whether or not the signal is received.
[0032]
When the numeric keypad 12 of the main operation unit 8 is operated to input a text by using a function of the mobile phone 30 such as an e-mail or a memo, the control unit 44 receives the text from the numeric keypad 12. Based on a combination of a signal and a signal received from the auxiliary keys 38 and 40, characters of a type corresponding to the combination of these signals are input.
[0033]
FIG. 4 shows which type of character is input based on the “ON” and “OFF” states of the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 when the numeric keypad 12 of the main operation unit 8 is operated during text input. An example is shown below.
[0034]
For example, as shown in the first line in FIG. 4, when a character is input from the ten key 12 of the main operation unit 8 in a state where neither of the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 is pressed (OFF state), the control is performed. The unit 44 determines that this input is an input of hiragana, and displays the input hiragana on the display unit 4.
[0035]
Therefore, as a specific example, when the character of the hiragana "ku" is to be input, the auxiliary key 38, 40 is not pressed down (OFF state), and the numeric keypad "" is assigned to "". The key "2" may be depressed three times with the thumb to change the order of "ka", "ki" and "ku" (see FIG. 3).
[0036]
As shown in the second line in FIG. 4, when only the auxiliary key 38 is depressed (the auxiliary key 38 is ON and the auxiliary key 40 is OFF), characters are input from the ten keys 12 of the main operation unit 8. In this case, the control unit 44 determines that this input is an input of an uppercase alphabet and displays the input uppercase alphabet on the display unit 4.
[0037]
Therefore, as a specific example, when inputting the letter “C”, which is an uppercase alphabetic character, in a state where only the auxiliary key 38 is pressed by the index finger (the auxiliary key 38 is ON and the auxiliary key 40 is OFF), “A The "2" key on the numeric keypad to which the characters "", "B", and "C" are assigned is pressed three times with the thumb to change the order of "A", "B", and "C" (FIG. 3). reference).
[0038]
In this way, when inputting hiragana or alphabetic capital letters, the type of the character can be switched by the auxiliary keys 38 and 40. Similarly, the mobile phone 30 can switch the type of characters input by the numeric keypad 12 to numeric or katakana based on the combination of the “ON” and “OFF” states of the auxiliary keys 38 and 40. it can.
[0039]
In addition, the user can set the assignment of the character type to the combination of the “ON” and “OFF” states of the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 by the input operation of the mobile phone 30. Hiragana sound and murmur, Katakana sound and murmur, lowercase letters of the alphabet, subscripts of numbers, half-width letters of the alphabet, half-width letters of numbers, half-width letters of katakana, half-width letters of katakana and half-width letters, and frequently used It can be switched to a symbol or the like.
[0040]
According to such a mobile phone 30, the operation for switching the type of character to be input can be simplified without lowering the speed of character input, and the operation can be performed with only one hand.
[0041]
In addition, since the mobile phone 30 does not use the cross key 18 or the function key 20 to switch the type of characters to be input, the speed of character input can be increased from this point as well. Further, since the thumb can be used only for operating the numeric keypad 12, the operability can be improved.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the description has been given based on the right-handed mobile phone 30. However, in the case of the left-handed use, the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 are provided on the side opposite to the side 32 of the second housing 10. Needless to say, it should be provided.
[0043]
Further, the combination of “ON” and “OFF” of the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 corresponding to the type of the character to be input is not limited to the combination shown in FIG. 4, but may be set arbitrarily by the user. Is also good. Further, it goes without saying that the types of characters that can be switched by the auxiliary keys 38 and 40 are not limited to those shown in FIG.
[0044]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where two auxiliary keys are provided has been described, but the number of auxiliary keys is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.
[0045]
Further, in this embodiment, a case has been described in which the present invention is applied to a mobile phone, but the present invention can also be applied to other mobile terminal devices such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
[0046]
The portable terminal device to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to a foldable portable terminal device. For example, the present invention is configured such that a housing having a display portion and a housing having a main operation portion are connected via a ball joint or the like so that a twisting operation can be performed together with a folding operation, and the display is always displayed. The present invention can also be applied to a lap type portable terminal device whose surface can face outward.
[0047]
Alternatively, an axis provided in a direction penetrating these two housings in a state where the display unit provided on one housing and the operation unit provided on the other housing are superposed so as to face the same direction. Accordingly, the present invention can be applied to a turn-type portable terminal device configured so that two housings are connected to each other and can be opened and closed like a fan.
[0048]
Further, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a mobile terminal device including three or more housings or only one housing.
[0049]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where various characters are input by the ten keys has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where various types of keys other than the ten keys are used. The present invention can also be applied to a portable terminal device that performs the following.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the portable terminal device of the present invention, the control unit switches the type of the input character by operating the auxiliary key when inputting the character using the plurality of keys of the main operation unit. , The operation for switching the type of character to be input can be simplified without lowering the speed of character input, and the operation can be performed with only one hand.
[0051]
In addition, since the portable terminal device does not use the function keys or the cross keys to switch the type of characters to be input, the speed of character input can be increased from this point as well. Further, since the thumb can be used only for operating the numeric keypad, operability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mobile phone 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view as viewed from an arrow A when the mobile phone 30 in FIG. 1 is held with a right hand.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the mobile phone 30 in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an example of a table showing types of characters to be input, which are switched by a combination of “ON” and “OFF” of auxiliary keys 38 and 40.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional mobile phone 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
2 mobile phone 4 display unit 5 speaker 6 first housing 8 main operation unit 9 microphone 10 second housing 12 numeric keypad 14 off-hook key 16 on-hook key 18 cross key 20 function key 30 mobile phone 32 side 38, 40 auxiliary key 42 wireless Transmission / reception unit 44 control unit

Claims (5)

A mobile terminal device having a single or a plurality of housings,
A main operation unit composed of a plurality of keys and arranged on one surface of any one of the housings;
An auxiliary key provided on a surface parallel to the length direction of the one housing and adjacent to the one surface,
A display unit that displays characters input by the main operation unit,
A control unit for controlling the input of characters of the main operation unit,
The control unit controls the type of characters input by the main operation unit so as to switch by operating the auxiliary key when inputting characters using a plurality of keys of the main operation unit. Mobile terminal device. 2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the auxiliary keys are provided, and the controller controls the combination of the auxiliary keys to switch a type of character input from the main operation unit. 3. apparatus. Two auxiliary keys, a first auxiliary key and a second auxiliary key, are provided. When only the first auxiliary key is operated, the alphabet is displayed. When only the second auxiliary key is operated, the katakana is displayed. When the first auxiliary key and the second auxiliary key are operated together, a number is input, and when neither the first auxiliary key nor the second auxiliary key is operated, hiragana is input by operating the main operation unit. The portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the mobile terminal device. 4. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the main operation unit includes a numeric keypad, and characters are input by the numeric keypad. The mobile terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary key is arranged at a position suitable for being operated by a finger of a hand holding the one housing.

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